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The genetic condition affects around one in 3,000-5,000 births and doctors told the couple their daughter would not survive.

Kacie

Tragically just moments after they given the news, Leanne went into labour and hours later gave birth to Kacie who only lived for 40 minutes.

Leanne, 36, is now fundraising to buy a cuddle cot for the Ulster Hospital so other families get to benefit from the equipment that was not available when they had to say goodbye to their daughter in December 2013.

Speaking to Belfast Live, full-time mum Leanne said: "Kacie was my sixth baby and I had had five normal pregnancies before but I knew from 17-18 weeks that there was something wrong.

"She had stopped moving and I was getting bigger and bigger. I went to the Ulster Hospital but was told everything was fine."

Kacie and Leanne

But weeks later Leanne was sent for genetic tests at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Christmas Eve 2013.

The couple were called back on December 30 that year, when Leanne was 32 weeks pregnant, and their lives were changed forever.

"I had been getting pains that morning and the closer we got to Belfast from Bangor I knew I was going into labour but I didn't say anything to my partner," said Leanne.

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"The doctor said she had Trisomy 18 and my first thought was Down's Syndrome so I just said that's fine but he told me I didn't understand, it's also known as Edward's syndrome and our baby was going to die, he just told me it straight.

"When I asked when we were told it could happen during delivery or shortly after delivery if she was alive.

"I just looked at my partner and said we had to go, I said we have to go to the Ulster, I had to deliver there."

Kacie

But moments later Leanne was in a delivery suite at the Royal Victoria Hospital and she gave birth to her daughter Kacie, who weighed just 1lb10oz.

"It was horrible," she said.

"We were just left with her or asked if anyone could help and we were never offered a cuddle cot.

"I left the hospital and did not know what I was doing. I went up for an appointment and left without a baby or bump."

Heartbroken Leanne now wants to use her experience to raise money for a cuddle cot for the Ulster Hospital who were very supportive when her son Kolton - who is now two - was born prematurely.

"From the moment the baby dies, this cuddle cot can ensure the baby can stay with the parents longer so they get the time they need," she said.

"I don't know why there are not more available to all parents in this situation, I want other parents to have this option.

Leanne is hoping to raise £2,000 for the Ulster Hospital to buy a cuddle cot, any money left over will go towards the special care unit.